Parent's Corner

Parenting & Soccer...

Each month, US Youth Soccer posts a new article specifically for the youth soccer parent.
Click here to check out their website & this month's and past posts.

Code of Conduct: Support the players, coaches and referees and be a positive role model...

Good sportsmanship should be practiced both on and off the field. The real purpose of soccer competition is to have FUN, to be able to participate to improve skills, to learn sportsmanship, to develop a sense of responsibility and self-discipline, to develop a group loyalty and comradeship, to learn to compete within established rules, to accept decisions of authorized officials, to seek interpretation or change through proper channels and to develop sound minds and bodies. Support the players, coaches and referees and be a positive role model. Click here for Code of Conduct for ParentsClick here for an article from US Soccer about "How Parents Can Help!"

Soccer Rules for Parents

Click here...
for a quick guide to basic soccer rules that will help you understand what is happening on the pitch.

From the touchline....

A mother was making a breakfast of fried eggs for her teenage son. Suddenly the boy bursts into the kitchen...

"Careful! Careful! Put in some more butter! Oh my goodness! You're cooking too many at once. TOO MANY! Turn them! TURN THEM NOW! We need more butter. Oh my! WHERE are we going to get MORE BUTTER? They're going to STICK! Careful!... CAREFUL! I said CAREFUL! You NEVER listen to me when you're cooking! Never! Turn them! Hurry up! Are you crazy? Have you lost your mind? Don't forget to salt them. You know you always forget to salt them. Use the salt. USE THE SALT! THE SALT!"

The mother stared at him. "What's wrong with you? You think I don't now how to fry a couple of eggs?"

The son calmly replied,"I just wanted to show you what it feels like when I'm trying to play soccer."The point of the story is that soccer, unlike football & baseball, does not give the player the luxury of play stopping after each action [which presents a coaching opportunity]. For that very reason, and because of the popularity of those 'other' sports in the U.S., the average parent doesn't understand that the game of soccer is taught by playing soccer. Mistakes made become lessons learned! A soccer player develops best from touches on the ball and thinking through difficult situations in the game by HIM/HERSELF. Shouts of encouragement and positive reinforcement are what's needed [Let's go!, Good hustle!, etc.]. Rule #1...Never should a parent give direction or correction to their child from the sideline [unless he or she is also the coach]and besides, they probably can't hear you anyway! Try not to tell them what to do from the touch lines, let them figure it out themselves...they'll become better players for it!Let them play!...The game is the greatest teacher!